I had vomited my guts out, I was in a daze until the doctor arrived. He immediately disinfected the wounds and made sure that none of the maggots were left, burning the area of the wound was one way of sealing it and I was finally relieved. It hurt and I now have a bald spot on my head but I felt more happy to be rid of the pests that was stealthily lurking on my body without my knowing.
The doctor talked with the duchess about me but I didn't get to hear their conversation as the maids were giving me a bath. It felt so warm like the hot spring back at the manor that I eventually fell asleep while I was still in the tub, the maids then woke me up when it was time for me to change and after getting dressed, I joined the duchess for dinner.
I usually couldn't care less about what food I ate but this time I could feel myself drool from the generous collection of fine cuisine that was in front of me. To me it was something worth more than gold that it was even enough for me to subdue my pride and thank the 7th god for it. I was enthralled by its quality from a long time of insufficient food that I didn't mind my manners at the table. That day, I ate so much food for the first time ever in this lifetime that I had a terrible stomach ache afterwards. And I wanted to puke again but I didn't dare tried to waste such good food.
The next day, the duchess decided that it was time to return back to the south. We didn't talk much along the trip and I mostly slept. For our meals we would only eat during breakfast and dinner when we camp and sleep in the carriage or at a local inn, although they made sure to give me plenty of snacks to eat along the way. The servants were friendly but also kept a distance from me, the duchess isn't the only one evaluating my behavior. Traveling with us were the 3 maids, 2 horsemen and the butler. Although the duchess' title is stripped to that of a lowly baroness, every noble should at least travel with guards no matter how low their rank may be. But I think with the duchess traveling like this is a matter of competence, she was once a war hero after all, she doesn't need guards.
Traveling in two carriages, where I am with the duchess and the butler and maids in the other, it was quite awkward for the both of us but no one cared less for initiating a conversation first to break the silence as I merely spend my time sleeping and sight seeing to which as did she, zoned out and staring into the horizon for most of when she is wake. It had been 5 days of travel and observation. And with the speed we are going, we will probably arrive at the south by tomorrow since the snow is getting thicker and thicker as we go, it's a territory known for its foggy and rainy climate so there could easily be a storm if we don't rush. Being second only to the north with the most prolonged winter season, but unlike the north where it snows for almost the entire year, the south has tropical seasons.
While we made a stop for the night and build settlement in the forest road, instead of resting I took my time wandering around in search for winter flowers before the sun sets. I am unbearably bored so a small wish of mine is to enjoy these simple luxuries in life as well, now that my hardship has finally paid off. It's also an excuse for me to gather up the ingredients for my potion before it wears of.
Although I have such a far-fetched dream of winning this play and being persevere about it, I also want to enjoy this life as best as I could, in case I am defeated and my qualities of being a rouge character will be destroyed and my will of consciousness be stripped from me once again. I've never had a chance to dwell on the pleasantries of living ever since my awakening and it felt like forever had passed me so I shall live like this is my last. If I lose this play it's adamant that my next lives will be submitted to an eternity of being a mindless marionette for the gods once again where there will not be any other chance of escape in another millions of years.
The thought of collecting winter flowers were one of those that sprung from my longing for enjoyment, it is a small leisure that meets my satisfaction. I haven't the slightest idea on what the names of these flower are but I picked them nonetheless based on their fragrances. After I've collected a bunch and when I went back, I gave each of them a flower as a gesture.
We rested there for the night, then, the very next day when the snow was subtle, we arrived at the estate early in the afternoon.
"We're here", the duchess said staring out the window. A mansion the size of a village and taller than the hill at the temple from where I used to lived first came to view.
The gates opened and we were greeted with 2 more servants who were waiting for us. Though the place had an extravagant architecture, it was untidy and even looked to be abandoned if not for the lamps being lit. Dried leaves, dead branches and overgrown bushes of flowers have scattered along the pathway and even the walls of the mansion were covered with vines making it look inhabited. A vast field surrounding a forest, all of this isn't even the full stretch of her territory.
When I went inside, it was no different from outside, cobwebs and dust covered everything, though it was daytime you still wouldn't be able to see through the corridors with its unkempt thick curtains. Even pests had the luxury of making the mansion their home.
And it seems that the faculty of servants in this place was only limited to 8 people, consisting of the butler, the 3 maids, the 2 horsemen and the 2 others who remained here. There isn't even any guard around. And with a mansion this big, they couldn't possibly clean it all up by themselves.
The duchess and I separated ways when she went to her quarter and then instructed the butler to show me around the place, while the house cook prepared our dinner and the maids, my bath. The old butler, Jhon, looked to be around the same age as the duchess or perhaps older. He first toured me around the place, explaining a brief session of the family history, the rules of the estate and what-not. It was when I learned of the duchess' real name.
After the tour was done, he then showed me to my room. It was on the second floor of the mansion where the family guestrooms were, in the middle of the corridor in its right side. The room was enormous enough to probably fit my entire village folks in one setting. The place was tidy and probably the only other room they've cleaned besides the duchess' though it didn't looked to be a bedroom fit for a child, it was gloomy and dark with brownish red wine printed wallpaper and a velvet carpet covering the whole floor, even the silk bed sheets and bed curtains were of dark burgundy color. The furniture were also equally dark from the closet cabinet to the couch, chairs and tables. With an area for an overlooking terrace and separate bathroom. A fancy mirror planted on the side of the wall above the table, golden and silver utensils and decors adorning the place. It even has a small chandelier in the middle of the ceiling of the room, the lamps and candle holders were made of gold. Although it needed more cleaning, the whole place simply screamed luxury.
"This is the biggest guestroom of the estate and the temporary room for the young miss as we are still underway for the construction of a room that is more fitting for your age, my apologies for its delay, but please make do with this for now. My lady", the butler explained and bowed.
It's my temporary room but I am practically in love with the place now, it is just how I like it to be. It's quite here. Warm and bright by the day because of the light from the windows in the terrace and completely dark by night, the room is also spacious enough for my consideration and whenever I'd feel the need for more I can simply tare down the wall to extend it with the next room.
"No, this much is enough I don't like brightly painted rooms", I sighed with satisfaction. The butler was surprised by my answer but agreed anyway.
"Of course, my lady"
"Thank you, I'm ready for my bath now"
"Yes, my lady"
With that, the man left and called for the maids who then escorted me to the bathroom and bathed me. Taking a bath will probably be one of the things I best enjoy here. After drying my hair, they changed me into my night dress where they had fun styling me as they pleased that in the end, they went overboard with it saying they had never had child to play with in this mansion.
Now, staring at the full body mirror in front of me, they had basically turned me into a doll. And as all I'm wearing is dark, I guess the rumors were true, the duchess does not like bright colored clothing.
After the fuss of my dressing up, I went down with them to join the duchess for dinner. Going not to the dining hall but the lounge instead so I wondered why we were to dine there. The duchess was already sitting in the couch near the warmly lit fireplace, sipping hot tea when I arrived.
"You're here. And it seems like they had their fun dressing you up"
"Hahah! Sorry about that but they were probably just excited, taking in someone after such a long time", she laughed as she put down her cup to face me.
"It's alright, Grandmother. I also find it enjoyable", I politely answered as I sat on my side of the small table.
"How's your room, do you like it? Though it's only temporary"
"Yes, and please, there's no need to change it"
"You don't? But it's so dark, wouldn't you get scared?"
"It's alright. I am unable to sleep with the slightest bit of light anyway"
"What a weird kid you are. Perhaps you're a ghost"
I smiled politely and started on my delicious meal.The duchess stared at me for a bit as I ate and then leaned back on her chair, sitting improperly. And then suddenly she turned serious.
"Do you know who I am?", I stared at her for a while until I could swallow the piece of meat I was chewing and wiped my mouth with a napkin.
"You're the former Grand Duchess now Baroness of the South territory of the Kingdom Edzhilflare, Maevein Fabre Laurent, wife of the late Grand Duke Eliase Nicolo Laurent", the old woman grinned when she heard my answer.
"And since, I adopted you. What does that make you?"
"Your daughter. The young lady of house Laurent"
"Hahah! Spot on you clever brat. From now you're going to be my daughter. You are to act like it, feel like it and live with my husband's name as the heir of this estate. Become my spoiled brat. Other than that, you can pretty much do whatever the hell you want until I die"
"Language, your grace", the butler politely warned as it was unfitting to speak of death in a presence of a child. But she simply ignored him, gleefully smiling at me.
"From now on, you will be Nicaise Maeve Fabre Laurent"